Well, my OS managed to take a dump. The OS became corrupt and just fell to pieces. I decided to "wipe" the hard drive with a DOD disk and will be rebuilding with Windows 7. I'm unsure at this point if the HDD is bad or if the OS was hit with something from the net, but either way, my FS9 customized install is history.I have made the decision not to rebuild FS9 at this time. In fact, nursing school is about to start full time (accelerated program), and I haven't been able to even use the sim for months. The thought of all the hours of customization I put into FS9 (e.g., updating navdata, Afcads, AI, add-ons) makes me cringe. I just can't do it again. It's safe to say I won't be installing FSX either. I just can't find the time anymore to devote to FS when so much of it requires tweaking, adding on, and even putting up with buggy software.So, for now, and possibly a long time (forever?), I'm hanging up my sim hat.I enjoyed all the hours of fun I had playing and I will miss it. Take care,Chris

Good luck, Chris! :( Although let me say I was saying 'good-bye' to FS9 a few times.The longest break I had lasted a few months. Also due to RL matters. I've always found myself returning.But no matter if you make your FS way back or not, keep tight!

I do image backups of all four of my hard drives to and 1tb external usb drive, every Friday evening. The backup software I use is by Acronis and I even purchased and extended version which will allow me to re-image my backup to different size hard drives. It's pretty fast too. So create a decent backup/restore scheme and re-install flight simulator with confidence.Mark

I wish it were that simple. Between school and a girlfriend who demands so much of my time that I have given up on hobbies, I just don't think going back will happen at this point. I'm literally home about 4 hours during the week, that's all! That leaves barely enough time to even get on the computer, let alone play a game. It has been months since I've been able to really get on and enjoy a short flight. For example, I don't even know how I'm gonna find the time to install Windows 7 during this rebuild! Believe me, I'm disgusted with not having any free time, however the fact that I'd have to rebuild a sim that took hours of customization just makes the idea seem ridiculous. I had customized approaches in AFCADs I updated, updated navdata BGLs I made, and lord knows how much work invested in making things right. I'd have to be a fool to go back and attempt repairing all that when I can't find time to even get on the home computer. I have to say, I don't know how you married guys do it. Maybe I just need a new GF. My suffers from dependent personality disorder - no joke.

Chris, what sad news, I have been used to having you around and read all your posts always valuing your opinions.All I can say having had three wives in my lifetime is, if you marry this one you may as well give up mate. If you can't do what you want now, your life will be hell as a married man and you'll achieve no happiness in that.I know the job you do is extremely time consuming and I admire your dedication.If a man is not allowed any hobbies, your working for nothing. Take your time, look at your life while alone somewhere and make the right decision for you and stick with it.Good luck mate, you'll be sadly missed here.

HelloNo girlfriend.no wife.no kids.My time is my own.I Sim, I beer,i listen to the radio whilst doing it.Just right.NICE.AndyPS i reckon people who post messages of the "i am quitting,giving up FS etc" are REALLY saying convince me guys please change my mind.You love it.You know you do.And to paraphrase a famous Cyborg."You'll be back."Andy :(

I have to say, I don't know how you married guys do it

Well, I run my own business, so I can steer my time to a degree. I'm not saying it's easy and I'm not saying I don't realize my wife would grin the day I'd tell her I grew up. But common sense and tolerance make their way forward.Plus who are we without our passions?

HelloNo girlfriend.no wife.no kids.My time is my own.I Sim, I beer,i listen to the radio whilst doing it.Just right.NICE.AndyPS i reckon people who post messages of the "i am quitting,giving up FS etc" are REALLY saying convince me guys please change my mind.You love it.You know you do.And to paraphrase a famous Cyborg."You'll be back."Andy :(

Till a few weeks ago my life was the same- all rosy and beery. Then my daughter left her mother & moved in with me. My part of the house is now a narrow strip between the front door and the PC. The rest belongs to her and her friends. Even the refrigerator.But, you know what? I don't mind. The friends think I'm strange because I tell them I get a more comprehensible conversation out of ATC. But the friends smell better.Chris, I'm sure you will be back. Buy your girlfriend a PC with the Sims on it & you can live parallel virtual lives. :( Whatever you do, have fun.

Well, my OS managed to take a dump. The OS became corrupt and just fell to pieces. I decided to "wipe" the hard drive with a DOD disk and will be rebuilding with Windows 7. I'm unsure at this point if the HDD is bad or if the OS was hit with something from the net, but either way, my FS9 customized install is history.I have made the decision not to rebuild FS9 at this time. In fact, nursing school is about to start full time (accelerated program), and I haven't been able to even use the sim for months. The thought of all the hours of customization I put into FS9 (e.g., updating navdata, Afcads, AI, add-ons) makes me cringe. I just can't do it again. It's safe to say I won't be installing FSX either. I just can't find the time anymore to devote to FS when so much of it requires tweaking, adding on, and even putting up with buggy software.So, for now, and possibly a long time (forever?), I'm hanging up my sim hat.I enjoyed all the hours of fun I had playing and I will miss it. Take care,Chris

You shouldn't have to rebuild your whole FS install because of a problem with the OS. If your files are on another HD there's really no issue. If it's on the same drive there's still not a problem. I had a corrupt HD something worse than your situation where I had to have the drive taken in for special service. After a week of pulling everything off the defective drive I got 99% of my data back (the exception being the last files I was using). I had to reinstall some Blueprint South America scenery I had just bought but FS9 fired back up without issue. Only the Flight1 wrapper add-ons did I have to reinstall. Took me no longer than a day to get back up and running once I got all my data back on the new hard drive. If your OS crashes and the FS data is on a drive that's not corrupted all you need do is backup the data If it's on the same drive (hence we always tell people to keep FS on a separate drive) reinstall the OS on a good drive, change the name of the old FS folder, reinstall FS9, and gradually move files from your old install into the new FS install folder (test as you go). Backup the new info as well in case you need it. You'd be surprised how easy it is to keep all your tweaks and mods. Data is data and it doesn't corrupt just because the OS fails. It should take you no longer than a week to be back up and running with all add-ons working. Testing everything over time I give myself a month before I know everything is solid (the whole Earth is modeled here).DON"T GIVE UP AND ERASE EVERYTHING YOUR DATA IS NOT GONE.... :( It's easy to give up when something like this happens but it's not hopeless as it may first seem it's just a fact of life things break.

Don't forget to drop in from time to time. If you do decide to get back into FS9 (and I agree with the others, you probably will!) then we can help you out in your rebuild as far as we can.Rafal's right; balance is all. I also run my own business and my wife encourages me to fly as a hobby as it de-stresses from the day-job. I've also taken up real flying! Learning in a Piper Warrior. So don't panic, FS9 works great on W7 and with just a few tweaks and addons it will look a major percentage of the way it used to for you, I'm sure.;)

If my girlfriend doesn't allow me to fly,she flies.out the door,that is.This simming thing is my hobby,so either take it,or leave it.Good luck Chris,hope you'll get back in it.JP.

Hello,

owever the fact that I'd have to rebuild a sim that took hours of customization just makes the idea seem ridiculous. I had customized approaches in AFCADs I updated, updated navdata BGLs I made, and lord knows how much work invested in making things right. I'd have to be a fool to go back and attempt repairing all that when I can't find time to even get on the home computer.

Indeed .. ignoring the word backup can be a pain is as* Regards.Gus.